Eastern Palace

Chapter 33

Along the way, I felt anxious like there was a burning fear, fearing that one misstep would cause Western Liang to be attacked by Li Cheng Yin, just like the way he killed the Turks. After a long journey, we finally arrived just outside the city of Western Liang.

Seeing that the city was safe, I couldn't help but feel relieved. The city gate was still wide open, winter was coming, there were less caravans, and the city guards that are guarding the gate were covered with sheepskin, dozing off. A'Du and I quietly entered the city.

The familiar palace was particularly solemn in the late autumn cold night. We didn't disturb the guards in the palace, instead we entered the palace through a small door. The imperial palace of Western Liang was merely guarded by several thousand of guards in a relaxed manner. Since Western Liang does not have any enemies, coming here are mostly merchants. Speaking of the imperial palace, it cannot be compared to the Anxi County that is heavily-guarded. In the past, I used to slip out of the palace through this small door, out to the city, and returning back through here, never being found out.

The people in the palace seemed to be asleep. I took A'Du back to my own room, it was quiet inside without anyone. The weather was too cold, and A'Du's face turned pale. I took a leather robe and gave it to A'Du to wear. Our boots were worn out, exposing our toes. I found two new boots to wear, this way we could keep warm.

I walked down the corridor to my mother's palace residence where she lived. I ran all the way so that I could quickly see my mother.

There was no light in the palace. But the fire was already lit in the palace, and there were several fire pans on the carpet. I saw my father sitting next to the fire pans with his head lowered.

I softly called out: "Father." Father was shocked, he slowly turned, seeing that it was me, his eyes became red: "Child, where have you been?" I've never seen Father like this, I could feel some heat in my eyes, a sense of grievance flowing out of my eyes. I pulled my Father's sleeves, asked him: "Where is Mother?" Father's eyes became even more red, his voice seems to be coming from his nose, he said: "Child, hurry and run away." I watched him in a daze, A'Du jumped up and pulled out her knife. Everywhere suddenly turned bright, countless people came in holding lantern torches. I recognized the leader, I knew it was the envoy of the Central Plains that had came to seek marriage, his expression was like a victorious rooster, slowly coming inside. When he saw my Father, he did not kneel down to pay respect, but instead said with arrogance: "King of Western Liang, since the princess has returned, the marriage between the two countries will naturally be fulfilled. You now have no excuses to avoid it." These people were really despicable, I pulled my Father's sleeves and asked him, "What about Mother?" My Father burst into tears, I have never seen my Father cry, I was shocked. Father suddenly pulled out a knife from his waist, and pointed at the Central Plains people. His voice was low, he said: "These Central Plains People, my child you should look carefully at these people, they were the ones that forced your Mother to die, they have forced our Western Liang, they wanted me to hand over your Mother. Your mother did not want to be humiliated, so she committed suicide in the palace.

They......They broke into the palace, they wanted to see your Mother's dead body so that they are convinced that she is dead......These people are murderers! They are the killers that killed your Mother......" Father's voice sounded like a mumbling curse, an echoing sound can be heard in the palace. My whole body was as if it had suffered a hit, I stumbled back a step. Father had cut his face, his face was covered with blood, and he pointed his knife towards the envoy. His movement was intense like a lion, the Central Plains people hastily dispersed, hearing only an echoing sound, the envoy's head had been chopped down by my Father. Father waved the knife, breathing heavily. As the soldiers around him approached again, someone shouted: "The King of Western Liang, you have killed the Central Plains' envoy, do you want to rebel?" Mother! My Mother! I have experienced many difficulties coming back here, but I will never be able to see my Mother again...... My body shuddered at the thought, I pointed at those people and shouted, "Where is Li Cheng Yin? Where is he? Where is he hiding?" No one answered me at first, after a moment someone in the crowd came out. Looking at his attire, it seemed to be a general of the Central Plains. He looked at me and said, "Princess, the King of Western Liang is clearly not in the right state of mind, as he has mistakenly killed the envoy of the Central Plains. Upon seeing his Highness, I the subject will clarify this matter to him. I hope Princess will stay calm, and not damage the dignity of the two countries." I recognized the general, he was the one who had caught A'Du and I in the grassland, took away A'Du's knife, and brought me to the army camp. His martial arts must be good, I am definitely not his opponent. Last time I was able to escape from the camp only because of Shifu. This time Shifu is not here, who else could save me?